A brief history of Fairfield

Fairfield Primary School, Penarth first opened its doors to children on 13^th April 1953 and was officially opened by County Alderman, R.A. Thomas on 20^th May 1953.

The school celebrated its 50 years anniversary in 2003 marking the occasion with various events, notably a public exhibition of photographs, documents and mementoes which was very well attended, especially by former pupils and previous members of staff.

Also the children worked with an artist to produce a mosaic (pictured below) to commemorate the 50 year anniversary. The mosaic is situated in the main entrance hall.

Mosaic 50 year anniversary

The follow extracts from the School Log Book may be of interest.

Notable Dates from the School Log Book
April 13^th 1953	School opens – Mr J. Gwyn Jones appointed Headteacher
May 20^th 1953	Official Opening
May 22^nd 1953	Coronation Concert
June 4^th 1953	Coronation Tea Party
December 8^th 1953	Conquest of Everest film shown to Juniors at Washington Cinema (Permission from Director)
March 10^th 1953	Planting 5 Cherry, 6 Cypress, 2 Copper Beech and 2 Rhododendrons on drive up to main entrance
September 1^st 1954	Mr N. O. Davies joined the staff
June 28^th 1956	Buffet in school on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone for Erw’r Delyn
November 1^st 1957	New path across field to Fairfield Road
April 30^th 1958	Planted Sitka Spruce and Beech trees as part of celebration of the Festival of Wales
May 5^th 1958	School closed – Celebrate Festival of Wales
June 11^th 1958	School closed – National Eisteddfod Proclamation
February 26^th	School closed – to celebrate the birth of a Prince – Prince Andrew born 19^th February
May 5^th 1960	School closed – Royal Wedding – H.R.H Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong Jones - 6th May
Autumn 1965	New classrooms built – now classes 1 and 2
September 3^rd 1969	Mr D. Samuel (retired Headteacher of Victoria School) started work in Fairfield in place of Mr W.A. Jones
May 8^th 1970	Mrs G. Dunks – Deputy Headteacher appointed
November 20^th 1972	School closed – Royal Silver Wedding
September 4^th 1973	Mr A. Thomas joined staff in place of Mr D. Samuel
November 14^th 1973	School closed – Royal Wedding – Princess Anne and Lieutenant Mark Phillips
September 2^nd 1975	New Headteacher – Mrs Tate
October 13^th 1976	Mr Grover – Educational Psychologist visited for the first time!!
April 28^th 1977	Mr Goronwy Jones appointed Deputy Headteacher (now Headteacher of Baden Powell School in Cardiff
May 11^th 1977	Mrs Jean Barratt (Bispham) appointed Sc2-Maths (now Headteacher of Sully School)
June 1^st 1977	Afternoon celebration for Queen’s Silver Jubilee
	Silver Jubilee Mugs from Penarth Town Council
November 8^th 1977	Edinburgh Reading Test to 7 year olds – still going on!!
February 7^th 1978	Mr Boast from St. Joseph’s appointed – Scale 2 for Language Development
February 16^th 1978	Jubilee Silver Birches planted
July 27^th 1978	Mrs Sian Simpson visited - replacing Mrs John
September 5^th 1978	Mrs Sian Simpson starts in Fairfield in Reception
September 10^th 1979	Mrs P. Levick-Jones began in Fairfield on 0.5 basis
June 1980	Mrs Morrison (Robbins) interviewed and appointed for 1 year (retired Headteacher of Albert School)
January 1^st 1982	Mr A. Thomas appointed Deputy Headteacher